A new flood chronology for KwaZulu-Natal (1836–2022)
The April 2022 Durban floods in historical context
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21540530 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stefan Grab (0000-0001-7678-1526, University of the Witwatersrand, corresponding author), S W Grab (University of the Witwatersrand), D J Nash (0000-0002-7641-5857, University of the Witwatersrand) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 106 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 476-497 |
| Publication date | 2024-10-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | South African Geographical Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0373-6245 • E-ISSN: 2151-2418 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/03736245.2023.2193758 |
| OpenAlex | W4363648986 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 16 |
| References cited | 24 |
In April 2022, flooding and associated geohazards caused major loss of life and extensive damage in the greater Durban region and large areas of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coastal zone. Heavy rainfall that triggered the flooding and mass movement events was reported in national and international media as having ‘smashed weather records’. However, no systematic and up-to-date flood record exists for KZN to allow the April 2022 floods to be viewed within their full historical context. This study presents an historical geographic account of flooding in KZN, with a particular focus on the greater Durban region. The flood record expands upon available databases held by the South African Weather Service, drawing on missionary accounts, newspapers and personal diaries to identify all significant flood events in KZN since the mid-nineteenth century. We document 53 significant flood events from 1850-1899 (average ~1.1 per annum) and 210 from 1900-2022 (average ~1.7 per annum). Within the limits of our data, we suggest that the frequency of flooding in Durban has likely doubled over the last century. Our research confirms that the April 2022 floods were likely the most catastrophic natural disaster yet recorded in KZN, in collective terms of lives lost and overall economic impact
Archaeology · Chronology · Flood myth · Geography · Meteorology · Natural disaster · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Hydrology and Drought Analysis · Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research
Avoidance, fear, helplessness
The El Niño–Southern Oscillation teleconnection to southern Africa in a changing climate
Sculpting stories
Assessing the vulnerability of livelihoods and ecosystems during the KwaZulu-Natal floods and their implications for climate resilience
Climate Change and Healthscapes
Resilience and the dissemination of flood disaster early warning messages in a township in South Africa
Analysing visual narratives
Enhancing Water Infrastructure Resilience in Response to Climate Change
Probing Climate Change Perceptions in Vulnerable Enclaves
Cascading impacts of climate change on child survival and health in Africa
Perception of risks and threats among tourism operators
Nature-Based Solution for Sustainable Urban Pavement Construction in South Africa
Substituting for the State
Positioning Social Work Roles in Disaster and Climate Resilience Endeavours in South Africa
Responsible Public Theology on Climate Change Devastations
Environmental Citizenship and Social Work
| Unique citing works | 16 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 5,33 |
| Citation span | 2023 - 2026 (4) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 16 |